A reply from EarFuze about audio quality of their product:
Hi Forest,
Thanks for your interest in Fuze Custom Earphones. The best way to know what kind of sound you're going to hear from headphones is to give them a listen. Manufacturer specs don't really tell the story and are rarely accurate (more on this below). Customer satisfaction is a superior measure in our opinion. We accept returns if you're not happy.
We've selected a dynamic driver colored with a lot of bass that produces a sound that the vast majority of recreational listeners are very pleased with. We are not trying to wow the audiophiles or serious headphone aficionados. Our primary goal is to offer the incredible advantages of custom-fitting at an accessible price point.
Many people already have a set of earphones that they like but want a custom fit and would like to use our system to retrofit their earphones. Unfortunately, this doesn't work because the earpiece and the earphone do not bond, resulting in separation. The air flow is also affected when the vent ports are blocked, altering the sound.
Specialized EarFuze electronics bond with our earpiece material, resulting in a permanently integrated unit. This significant feature is a revolutionary benefit of our proprietary system. Using our components and system, the end result is a durable and permanent pair of custom earphones.
Best Regards,
Aaron
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EarFuze
Fuze Your Phones | Ignite Your Music
719.338.4124
aaron@earfuze.com
www.EarFuze.com
Specs that (mostly don't) matter
http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-7612_7-6322607-4.html
You find a few of the following specifications on the headphones' box or on the manufacturer's Web site. Here's what they mean and why you can usually ignore them.
Frequency response
Frequency-response specifications in full-size loudspeakers are generally pretty useless in predicting sound quality, but headphone frequency-response numbers are even worse. Manufacturers have routinely exaggerated frequency-response figures to the point that they're irrelevant. Even the flimsiest, cheap headphones routinely boast extremely low bass-response performance--15Hz or 20Hz--but almost always sound lightweight and bright. Generally, bass buffs will be happier sticking with larger 'phones.
Total harmonic distortion
True, headphones with lower actual total harmonic distortion(THD) will sound better than 'phones with higher THD. But the quoted THD numbers--"less than 1 percent"--aren't helpful in predicting sound quality. Listen to recordings of simply recorded acoustic guitar to assess.
Impedance
Generally speaking, the lower the headphones' electrical impedance (aka resistance), the easier it is to get higher volume. But here again, the low impedance is no guarantee of high volume capability; other factors can still limit loudness potential. Since many MP3 players have feeble power output--the iPod is a notable exception--smart shoppers should check the loudness before purchasing any pair of headphones. To be sure, listen with your player.
